Google plan to block cookies ‘under scrutiny’ from US regulators March 18, 2021 Google’s plan to scrap web-tracking advertising tools known as cookies is said to have attracted scrutiny from US regulators amid concerns the move could harm smaller rivals. The search engine giant has unveiled proposals to block cookies in its Chrome browser in an effort to increase user privacy. But the plans have stirred up anger [...]
The artificial intelligence influencers that you should be following March 18, 2021 | City Talk Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ultimate manifestation of the promise of technology to improve our lives. Within our lifetimes AI will become omnipresent across every segment of economic activity and within every field of human endeavour. But AI is not a single genus but a constellation of technologies that must work together in harmony. By [...]
Using AI-powered spacecraft is the only way to clean up space March 17, 2021 | City Talk In 1978 NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler proposed a theoretical scenario in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit due to space pollution becomes high enough that collisions between objects starts to cause a chain reaction whereby each collision generates more space debris, which then increases the likelihood of further collisions. One implication [...]
Dija acquires Genie in bid to expand 10-minute delivery service March 17, 2021 London-based grocery delivery startup Dija has acquired Cambridge startup Genie as it expands its service across the UK. Dija, which was founded by former Deliveroo executives, launched earlier this month and promises to deliver groceries within 10 minutes. It is the latest player to join the ever-expanding food delivery space and already has four warehouse [...]
Is fintech fueling financial M&A’s rebound? March 17, 2021 | Sponsored According to our latest market brief, Fintech will be the wind in the sails of Financial M&A this year. The world was dealt a historic one-two punch in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic which infected and killed millions of people. As a result of government-ordered shutdowns and travel bans, the shuttering of economies worldwide led [...]
China asks Alibaba to sell media assets amid crackdown on Jack Ma March 16, 2021 China is said to have asked Alibaba to sell its assets in the media sector as Beijing continues to pile pressure on the company’s billionaire founder Jack Ma. The two sides have been in discussions over the matter since the beginning of the year, according to multiple media reports, with officials said to be shocked [...]
Retail tech startup Rezolve eyes $750m price tag with fresh funding round March 16, 2021 Mobile shopping platform Rezolve is closing in on a fresh funding round backed by British taxpayers that would value the startup at $750m (£540m). Rezolve, founded by tech entrepreneur Dan Wagner, is finalising a $20m funding round from a string of new US-based investors. The new cash injection, which is backed by a company connected [...]
London is home to 60 unicorns after record levels of investment last year March 16, 2021 London is now home to 60 companies with unicorn status as the capital cements itself as Europe’s hub for tech investment. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, six London-based companies secured valuations of over $1bn in 2020: Octopus Energy, Arrival, Kazoo, infobip, Gousto and Hopin. And it’s been a strong start to 2021 with an [...]
Inovia Capital expands European presence with $450m fund March 16, 2021 Canadian venture capital firm Inovia Capital has closed its first transatlantic fund at $450m doubling down on its commitment to invest in European growth-stage firms. The firm opened in London two years ago and is led by investor Patrick Pichette, who also chairs Twitter’s Board of Directors. Early stage investment in European startups has hit [...]
Apple hits back at App Store competition probe with UK jobs claim March 15, 2021 Apple today said its App Store supports 330,000 jobs in the UK as it hit back against a probe into claims it treats app developers unfairly. Earlier this month the Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation into whether Apple imposes unfair or anti-competitive terms on developers after it received a number of complaints. The [...]